new school computer? which one?

I am looking to get a new laptop for school.

I am going to degrade to XP, so I dont know if that matters

I need it have a long battery, small/easily portable.
Run fast
wi-fi
USB drives

I'm not sure about the difference between a notebook and a laptop. but thought this place could get me going on what to get
Thanks

 

Laptop/notebook are the same thing, screen size 12 - 17" with CD/DVD burner, weight from 4 - 8lbs, battery life generall 2 - 3 hours, almost all come with Vista installed, a few have XP downgrade rights and media.

Netbooks are 7 - 10" screen, 2 - 3lb weight, no CD/DVD drive, battery life generally 2 - 7 hours, usually come with XP installed, some with Linux.

You want XP, long battery life and easy to carry, go for a 10" netbook, especially if you have a large screen to hook it up to at base for extended sessions of work.

My favourite all-round netbook is the Samsung NC10.